The
Indonesian Navy plans to acquire 24 guided-missile fast boats to be
deployed in shallow waters in the western part of the country, a top
Navy officer said on Wednesday. Assistant for planning to the Navy
chief of staff, Rear Adm. Sumartono, said the Navy had confirmed the
order for the 24 patrol boats.

“When we will buy them depends on the Defense Ministry’s
financial ability,” he told reporters.

“They will
be deployed in the western part of Indonesia and in North Sulawesi.”

Sumartono was speaking at the sidelines of a visit by Deputy Defense
Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin to privately-owned shipyard PT Palindo
Marine’s facilities in Tanjung Uncang, Batam, in Riau Islands.

The company has delivered two guided-missile fast boats, KRI Clurit
and KRI Kujang, to the Navy and is working on a third boat. Each boat,
worth Rp 73 billion (US$7.98 million), has a top speed of 30 knots.

Palindo director Harmanto said the production of the boats was 45
percent locally sourced.

“We use special steel from state-owned steelmaker PT Krakatau
Steel for the bows and hull,” he said.

The 40-meter boats come with Chinese C-705 anti-ship missiles with
a range up to 120 kilometers, a six-barrel 30-millimeter close-in
weapons system and two 20-millimeter guns.